Do Stryker Brigade Combat Teams Need Forward Support ...

logisticians, led by company-grade officers from the
BSB, using packages of equipment that are specific to
the needs of each supported maneuver battalion.
The LST Leader
The LST’s structure enables the BSB to employ its
junior leaders and develop them as multifunctional
logisticians. While the maneuver battalion is in garrison,
the LST leader functions in the BSB in his assigned
position, such as platoon leader or company executive
officer. Five weeks before training begins, the
LST leader participates in the supported maneuver
battalion’s training meetings so that he can anticipate
sustainment requirements, integrate the LST into
predeployment activities, and build a collaborative
relationship with the maneuver battalion commander
and key staff. At the onset of battalion-level training
exercises (which typically require two or more commodities
from the BSB) or operational deployments,
the LST leader works within the maneuver battalion to
provide logistics support.
The LST leader serves as his supported maneuver
battalion’s representative to the BSB support operations
officer (SPO). He supervises all logistics operations
within the battalion and tracks all BSB personnel and
equipment operating in the LST. He also ensures that
the battalion provides adequate force protection and convoy
security for all logistics operations. The LST leader
assists the battalion or squadron S–4 with the development
of operational logistics requirements and forecasts
and ensures that logistics status reports are completed
and passed on to the BSB SPO. The LST leader provides
command and control on the ground for both BSB
logistics resupply point operations and internal battalion
resupply missions.
The LST leader also serves as a liaison between the
BSB and the maneuver battalion executive officer and
S–3. This relationship increases situational awareness
and situational understanding for the BSB SPO and
commander. With the LST leaders providing information
to the BSB from their maneuver battalions, the BSB
SPO can ensure that each commodity and field service
is adequately resourced for each battalion. The SPO
becomes more of a deputy commander for operations
and external support—a significant increase in his scope
of duties and responsibilities.
Selecting the right LST leader is critical for success
in today’s fast-paced operational environments.
When assigning personnel, battalion commanders
and SPOs consider the capabilities of potential LST
leaders and the personalities of each maneuver battalion’s
leaders. The BSB should implement officer
professional development programs to prepare the
LST leader for multifunctional tasks. Although the
LST leader will retain traditional platoon leader
ARMY LOGISTICIAN PROFESSIONAL BULLETIN OF UNITED STATES ARMY LOGISTICS
responsibilities in garrison, he will be exposed to
many duties that will enhance his officer development,
provide a sense of purpose, and offer connections
to higher operational functions.
Selecting the right LST leader is
critical for success in today’s
fast-paced operational
environments.
Although an LST leader has many of the same
responsibilities as an FSC commander, an FSC commander
also handles traditional command duties,
such as property book reconciliation, administrative
actions, and training. Employing junior officers
as LST leaders enables BSB elements to focus on
accomplishing support missions and creating truly
multifunctional logisticians at a very early point in
their professional careers.
Economy of Force
Maintaining the current SBCT BSB structure
enables each maneuver battalion to have the necessary
support while minimizing the logistics footprint
on the battlefield. The LST is responsive to the warfighter’s
needs. It does not encumber the maneuver
battalion commander with additional assets, and it
allows the BSB SPO to surge sustainment assets if
required. The LST concept is simple in planning
and in execution. However, it does require the LST
leader and the maneuver battalion leaders to develop a
unique relationship prior to operational deployments.
The LST concept provides an extremely flexible sustainment
solution for the BSB commander. Through
detailed mission analysis, the BSB SPO can move
assets based on mission change or task organization
change. This is more challenging to do with an FSC
because of command and support relationships. The
LST is minimal in nature, but adequate, so it is attainable
with today’s SBCT organization.
The LST is a sustainable concept and provides
enough support to the maneuver battalion. Synchronization
of equipment densities and personnel
requirements for the LST is the dual responsibility of
the BSB SPO and the LST leader. The LST is survivable
because it has a smaller footprint than an FSC,
so the maneuver battalion has fewer force protection
responsibilities. The LST has the economic advantage
of having sustainment Soldiers integrated into
the maneuver battalion without creating the need for
additional sustainment Soldiers and equipment on the
battlefield. The LST leader can provide exceptional
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